This is the 60 day and final update on my Clinique roadtest.
For 60 days I followed an uncomplicated routine of cleanser, toner, Vitamin C serum finished with day or night cream. See this blog for more details.
My initial expectations were…
The daily routine would over 60 days:
- Lighten pigmentation
- Hydrate skin, so that its more supple
- Not damage my skin barrier
- Lighten skin complexion as Vitamin C inhibits the skin pigment, melanin.
These include benefits of regularly using a topical Vitamin C product.
What is the outcome?
I apologise for the God forsaken photography that I keep inflicting on you, but judge for yourself:
Day 1
Day 30 blog update
Day 60
What do I think?
On the positive side my:
- Skin is visibly tighter – that may be the Vitamin C induced collagen
- Pores have shrunk. At my age, this much pore visibility before I have even washed my face is fine.
- Pigmentation is lighter, but it has not disappeared.
On the neutral side (there are no real negatives), my skin is not as lighter as I was expecting it to be and given that I spend on average 2-3 hours outside between 10am – 2pm, this is acceptable.
My verdict and what would I repurchase?
The majority of the products get my thumbs-up. My only qualm and this is a major beef, is that this is an expensive regime.
The fresh pressed Vitamin C is supposed to last 10 days and I was lucky to get between 5-7 days. Instead of using 4 bottles, I was using 6 bottles per month. I spent US$ 115 per month on JUST this product.
Most moisturisers will last more than a month – the 72H moisture surge lasted only 30 days. I went through 2 jars of 50ml OR US$ 105.
Products that’d I use again
Products that I’m indifferent to
I don’t know what the big deal is about the Vitamin C powder. It gives you an instant glow (which a US$ 15 Ordinary product will do), but honestly what is the long-term benefit to your skin?
Definitely would never buy again
I am part of a couple of online skincare communities, and its just not me, but the general consensus is that this product has too much alcohol. If you are a wannabe teetotaller like me, you can smell the denatured alcohol – do you know how concentrated the alcohol must contain for me to smell it?? And don’t even get me started on what happens when this gets into your eyes.
Closing remarks
I am pleased with the results of this regime, but I can’t get over the fact that I am being penalised for buying Clinique products outside the US.
Let me explain.
If I had bought all my products in the US, I would have paid US$ 486 or less than US$ 500. This would be 20% (or US$ 100) lower if I took advantage of Black Friday/Cyber Monday offers.
Having not bought the products at a US airport, I have now spent over US$ 700. US Dollars 736 to be precise. That’s US$ 250 – US$ 350 I could have spent on other products or simply donated to a charitable cause.
I am furious. I have learnt my lesson. The next time BUY AMERICAN PRODUCTS it will be AT THEIR SOURCE.
Drop me a line if you have any queries at email@happyskindays.com